This analysis describes what Ancestry's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
The updated policy introduces new data collection and processing practices. Ancestry now explicitly discloses that it collects information from interactions with AI-powered support assistants, in addition to human communications. The policy adds a new photo face-grouping feature that creates abstract numerical representations of images to organize your photo gallery, available with your express consent; Ancestry states it does not retain these representations. The policy also adds SMS messaging as a communication channel, available if you expressly opt in. You can decline the face-grouping feature and SMS messaging by not providing express consent.
View change record →How other platforms handle this
We may continue to retain some information even after you delete your account if we are required to do so in order to comply with applicable laws.
We retain your personal information in an identifiable form for as long as necessary for the purposes set out in this Notice.
We may also retain certain information about you for legitimate business purposes and/or if we believe doing so is in accordance with, or as required by, any applicable law.
"Ancestry also retains certain information as reasonably necessary to comply with our legal obligations (including law enforcement requests), resolve disputes, maintain security, prevent fraud and abuse, as well as to comply with tax, payment industry, securities...Excerpt from Ancestry's Privacy Statement
Get the weekly coverage letter
Companies change their terms without announcing it. We capture governance documents, compare each new version with the last, and publish what changed, with the source text behind it. One email a week on what we found and what we could not reach.
The clause states: “Ancestry also retains certain information as reasonably necessary to comply with our legal obligations (including law enforcement requests), resolve disputes, maintain security, prevent fraud and abuse, as well as to comply with tax, payment industry, securities...”
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 268 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Ancestry.